Differences in Early Childhood Maltreatment by Maternal Birthplace and Child Sex

Abstract

Objective: To identify patterns of health system-identified early childhood maltreatment by maternal birthplace and child sex, within a multicultural society with universal access to healthcare.

Study design: This retrospective population-based cohort study included 1240946 children born in Ontario, Canada, between 2002 and 2012, and followed from birth to age 5 years using administrative data. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted rate ratios for maltreatment-physical abuse or neglect-among the children of immigrant vs nonimmigrant mothers. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate further the odds of maltreatment comparing a daughter vs son of the same mother.

Results: Maltreatment rates were 36% lower (adjusted rate ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.61-0.66) among children of immigrant mothers (10 per 1000) than those of nonimmigrant mothers (16 per 1000). Maltreatment rates were 27%-48% lower among children of maternal immigrant groups relative to that among Canadian-born mothers, except children of Caribbean-born mothers (16 per 1000). No significant differences were seen between daughters and sons in the odds of early childhood health system-identified maltreatment by maternal birthplace.

Conclusions: Health system-identified maltreatment in early childhood is highest among children of Canadian- and Caribbean-born mothers. Maltreatment did not differ between daughters and sons of the same mother. These data may inform strategies aimed at decreasing maltreatment among vulnerable groups.